A zoo in Finland announced earlier this week that it plans to return the giant pandas “Hua Bao” and “Jin Bao Bao,” which were borrowed from China, earlier than expected later this year. The director of Ähtäri Zoo, Harpakoski, stated on the 25th in response to inquiries from the Global Times that the decision to return the giant pandas early was a difficult one. After friendly negotiations between both parties, it was unanimously agreed that sending the pandas back to China was the best solution, based on the zoo’s current circumstances. He expressed, “It has been our honor to care for this pair of pandas in Ähtäri.”
Harpakoski explained that since 2020, the zoo has faced numerous challenges, most of which were unforeseen. The current situation has various causes, including the decline in visitor numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as significant inflation and rising interest rates in Finland.
“The Chinese partners have provided unprecedented help and support, and Ähtäri Zoo has also made many efforts,” Harpakoski stated. However, considering the zoo’s current situation, it was still decided to return the giant pandas early.
In April 2017, China and Finland signed documents to cooperate on a 15-year giant panda conservation research project. The giant pandas “Jin Bao Bao” and “Hua Bao” arrived in Finland in January 2018, and the China-Finland panda conservation research project officially started in March of that year.
According to reports, this is the first pair of Chinese giant pandas to arrive in Northern Europe. Eager Finnish citizens voted from over 4,000 candidate names to select Finnish nicknames for them: “Hua Bao” was named “Pily,” meaning “heavy snow,” while “Jin Bao Bao” was named “Lumi,” which also means “snow.”
“The current situation of the giant pandas is very good!” Harpakoski reported, stating that the female panda “Lumi” (i.e., “Jin Bao Bao”) has returned to normal after experiencing a false pregnancy and is now enjoying her bamboo. “Pily” (i.e., “Hua Bao”) has also been in good condition. He added that visitors can still see the pair of pandas in the zoo before October 20 of this year. After that, the panda exhibit will be closed to the public as the pandas will undergo their final month of quarantine at Ähtäri Zoo.
In an interview, Harpakoski revealed to Global Times reporters, “We will hold a farewell party for the giant pandas and hope that visitors will come to wish them a safe return to China.”
According to a report from Reuters on the 25th, a spokesperson for the Finnish Foreign Ministry stated that returning the giant pandas is a commercial decision by the zoo and does not involve the Finnish government, nor should it affect the relationship between Finland and China. The Chinese Embassy in Finland stated in a statement to Reuters that although China has made efforts to assist the zoo, the two countries ultimately decided together to return the giant pandas through friendly consultations.
Regarding the early return of the two giant pandas to China within this year, the “China Wildlife Conservation Association” WeChat account stated on the 24th that both parties have decided, after friendly consultations, to prioritize the health and well-being of the giant pandas by jointly returning the two pandas to China this year. The next step will involve maintaining communication and cooperation to prepare for the management and care of the pandas before their return.
The association also noted that during the cooperation on giant panda conservation research between China and Finland, both sides have not only established a good cooperative relationship and friendship but have also achieved positive results in areas such as panda management, technical exchanges, public education, and enhancing the friendship between the two nations.